Stowmarket: Off-duty doorman had fit after alleged assault

AN OFF-DUTY doorman had a fit after being kicked and punched in a violent attack outside a Stowmarket nightspot, it has been alleged.

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During the incident in the car park of the Riverside Club, Tony Mitchell, who had been out with his girlfriend and some friends, was allegedly knocked to the ground and surrounded by a group of people who he described as “sticking the boot in”.

After being dragged out of the melee, Mr Mitchell had gone back inside the club covered in blood and had collapsed and had a fit before being taken to hospital by ambulance, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Scott Lorimer, 34, of Meadow Close, Stowmarket, his brother David Lorimer, 22, of The Green, Wattisham, Michael Coulson, 28, of The Causeway, Hitcham and Roxanne Collins, 23, of Wren Close, Stowmarket, have denied assaulting Mr Mitchell, causing him actual bodily harm on November 5, 2011, and an offence of affray.

Giving evidence yesterday, Mr Mitchell told the court he had gone outside shortly after midnight to speak to someone about an incident involving one of his friends inside the club.

While outside he claimed that one of the Lorimer brothers had come towards him swearing and as he turned towards him he alleged that he was hit in the side of the face by the other brother.

He tried to restrain the man who had hit him but claimed he was then hit by the brother who had been swearing at him at the start of the alleged incident.

He said that “all hell had broken out” with a lot of pushing and shoving during which he fell to the ground. He described being surrounded by a group of people who were kicking and punching him and alleged he saw Coulson stand on his face.

“Everyone was sticking the boot in and punching me,” he said.

The alleged attack lasted three to four minutes and ended when he was dragged out of the melee.

He got to his feet and went back inside the bar where he collapsed.

“I fell to the floor. I was in a mess. People were panicking and trying to call an ambulance. My girlfriend was screaming. I was covered in blood. I’d passed out and I had a fit,” said Mr Mitchell.

He said he was taken to hospital in Bury St Edmunds by ambulance and suffered bruising to his brain and cuts and bruises.

He said that 15 months after the alleged incident he still had not fully recovered and still suffered from headaches and fits.

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